geography of africa africa unit. guiding questions for africa (write these down) 1. what physical...
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Guiding Questions for AFRICA(Write these down)
• 1. What physical processes and relationships support different African biomes?
• 2. How are people, places and the environment in Africa connected and interdependent?
• 3. How does the history of colonization continue to affect African countries today, especially in terms of culture, conflict and ability to profit from their vast natural resources?
Africa’s Size
# Second largest continent 11,700,000 sq. mi.
# 10% of the world’s population.
# 2 ½ times the size of the U. S.
5000
MILES
4 6 0 0 M I L E S
Bodies
Of
Water
Nile River
Congo River
Zambezi River
Niger River
Orange River
Limpopo River
Mediterranean Sea
Atlantic Ocean
Pacific Ocean
Indian Ocean
Red Sea
L. Victoria
L. Albert-->
L. Chad-->
L. Tanganyika->
<--Gu
lf of A
den
North Africa
• Mountain Ranges (Atlas Mountains, Ahaggar Mountains)
• Sahara desert (world’s largest)
• Sahel region
African Rain Forest
# Annual rainfall of up to 17 ft.
# Rapid decomposition (very humid).
# Covers 37 countries.
# 15% of the land surface of Africa.
Desertification
• Desertification – The spreading of a desert region
• The region of Sahel is most affected by the spreading desert.
Great Rift Valley
• Great Rift Valley – 4,000 mile giant fault, or break in the earth’s crust. From Red Sea to Zambezi River.
• Evidence has found that the earliest Humans first lived in
this area.
Major Rivers
• Nile River – world’s longest (4,000 + miles)
Sources: White Nile (Uganda) & Blue Nile (Ethiopian highlands) flows into the Mediterranean
• Congo River – Central Africa – through rain forests, 2,720 miles long
• Niger River – Africa’s third longest- 2,600 miles long. Begins in West Africa (Guinea)
• Zambezi River – Fourth longest 2,200 miles – Southern Africa; contains Victoria Falls; flows into the Indian Ocean
Rivers in Africa are plenty, but very difficult to navigate due to cataracts.
What are cataracts?
Series of waterfalls
How does this affect transportation and communication?
Very difficult historically to travel and trade.
Climate and Diversity
• The equator runs nearly through the center of Africa
• 80% of the nation is tropical• Further from equator = colder• Higher Elevation = colder
Human Environment Interaction
• 1. Agriculture• Difficult in many regions of Africa
due to elevation and climate.
Aswan High Dam 1970
• Positive:
• Gives region of Egypt and Sudan regular supply of water.
• Increased agriculture through irrigation.
• Negative:
• Many people displaced when built.
• Mosquitoes cause Malaria
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